How to Check Screen Time on Any Laptop (Perfect for Business Owners & IT Managers)

How to Check Screen Time on Any Laptop (Perfect for Business Owners & IT Managers) Description: Discover how business owners and IT managers can track screen time on Windows and Mac laptops to enhance productivity, monitor employee activity, and optimize workflows for small to medium-sized teams.

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, managing productivity is a top priority for business owners and IT managers alike. Whether you’re overseeing a small team of 5-20 employees or ensuring a hybrid workforce stays on track, tracking screen time on laptops has become an indispensable tool. This guide walks you through how to monitor screen time on both Windows and Mac laptops, spotlighting MonitUp—a robust solution designed to empower business leaders and IT professionals with actionable insights.

Why Business Owners Should Track Employee Screen Time

For business owners, understanding how employees spend their time on company laptops is key to driving success. Here’s why tracking screen time should be on your radar:

  • Boost Accountability: Ensure employees focus on core tasks during work hours, especially in remote or hybrid setups.
  • Spot Inefficiencies: Identify time spent on non-work-related apps or websites, allowing you to address distractions.
  • Support Employee Well-being: Monitor for excessive screen time to prevent burnout and promote a balanced workday.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Use screen time data to refine processes, allocate resources, and improve overall team performance.

By keeping tabs on screen time, you gain a clearer picture of your team’s work habits, enabling you to lead with confidence and precision.

How to Check Screen Time on Windows Laptops

Windows laptops dominate business environments, yet they lack a built-in, business-friendly screen time tracker. Here’s how you can monitor screen time effectively, with MonitUp stepping in where native tools fall short.

1. Exploring Windows’ Basic Options

  • Activity History: Found in Settings > Privacy > Activity History on Windows 10 and 11, this feature tracks app usage but offers limited detail and no productivity insights.
  • Task Manager: Check “Up time” under the Performance tab to see how long the laptop has been running since the last restart. However, it doesn’t break down app-specific usage.
  • Microsoft Family Safety: Originally for parental control, this tool provides basic screen time reports but isn’t tailored for professional team management.

2. The Need for a Better Tool

Windows’ native options lack the depth business owners need—features like team-wide tracking, productivity scoring, and customizable reports are missing. This gap can hinder your ability to optimize workflows or ensure accountability.

3. MonitUp: A Game-Changer for Windows Screen Time Tracking

MonitUp offers a purpose-built solution for businesses. Here’s how its Screen Time package works (based on MonitUp’s guide):

  • Easy Setup: Sign up at MonitUp’s website, download the software, and install it on your team’s Windows laptops. It runs silently in the background.
  • Detailed Insights: Track time spent on apps, websites, and tasks with real-time data displayed on a custom dashboard.
  • AI-Powered Suggestions: MonitUp analyzes usage patterns from the past week and provides personalized tips to boost efficiency.
  • Team Oversight: Monitor multiple employees from a single interface, perfect for small to medium-sized businesses.

With MonitUp, you can transform raw screen time data into actionable strategies that elevate your team’s performance.

 

How to Check Screen Time on Mac Laptops

Mac laptops come with a built-in Screen Time feature, but it’s primarily geared toward personal use. Here’s how to leverage it—and enhance it—for business purposes.

1. Using macOS Screen Time

  • Access It: Go to System Preferences > Screen Time to see daily and weekly usage reports for apps and websites.
  • Set Limits: Establish app-specific time caps or schedule downtime to enforce focused work periods.

2. Limitations for Business Use

While handy for individuals, macOS Screen Time lacks team management capabilities, productivity analytics, and the ability to monitor multiple users—crucial features for business owners and IT managers.

3. Supercharging Mac Tracking with MonitUp

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: MonitUp works on both Mac and Windows, ideal for mixed-device teams.
  • Enhanced Reporting: Get detailed breakdowns and categorize activities as productive or unproductive.
  • Scalable Monitoring: Track your entire team’s screen time from one dashboard.

MonitUp complements macOS Screen Time, turning it into a business-ready tool with deeper insights and flexibility.

Best Software to Monitor Employee Activity on Laptops

Choosing the right software is critical for effective screen time tracking. Here’s a roundup of top options, with MonitUp leading the pack for business owners and IT managers:

  • MonitUp
    • Strengths: Comprehensive app and website tracking, AI-driven productivity tips, team dashboards, and a 7-day free trial.
    • Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses needing detailed, actionable insights.
  • RescueTime
    • Strengths: Automatic time tracking and distraction blocking.
    • Drawbacks: Limited team management features and no screenshot capabilities.
  • Hubstaff
    • Strengths: Time tracking with screenshots and payroll integration.
    • Drawbacks: More complex setup and higher cost, better suited for larger teams.

Why MonitUp Wins: Its user-friendly interface, AI suggestions, and focus on small teams make it the go-to choice for business owners and IT managers looking to monitor employee activity without overwhelming complexity.

How IT Managers Can Use Screen Time Data to Improve Productivity

IT managers play a pivotal role in optimizing team performance. Screen time data, when used strategically, can transform how you manage resources and workflows:

  • Identify Bottlenecks: Pinpoint apps or processes slowing down productivity and recommend alternatives.
  • Customize Training: Use usage trends to tailor training sessions, focusing on underutilized tools or inefficient habits.
  • Enhance Security: Spot unusual activity (e.g., excessive personal app use) that might signal policy violations.
  • Balance Workloads: Ensure no team member is overburdened by comparing screen time across the team.

With MonitUp, IT managers can access detailed reports and set custom alerts, turning screen time data into a proactive tool for team improvement.

Getting Started with MonitUp

Ready to streamline your team’s productivity? Here’s how to dive in with MonitUp:

  1. Sign Up: Start your free 7-day trial at MonitUp’s signup page.
  2. Install: Download and install MonitUp on your team’s Windows and Mac laptops.
  3. Configure: Set up your dashboard to track key metrics like app usage and productivity scores.
  4. Act: Review AI-driven insights and adjust workflows to maximize efficiency.

Conclusion: Empower Your Business with Screen Time Insights

For business owners and IT managers, tracking screen time isn’t just about oversight—it’s about unlocking your team’s full potential. While Mac offers basic tools and Windows lags behind, MonitUp delivers a unified, powerful solution for both platforms. From spotting inefficiencies to fostering healthier work habits, MonitUp equips you with the data you need to lead smarter.

Don’t let productivity slip through the cracks. Try MonitUp today and take the first step toward a more efficient, engaged team.

Examine the working styles of your teammates, increase your company's productivity.

Try MonitUp for free